Wildlife Prairie State Park is home to over 150 animals that are native to Illinois, including wolves, bison, black bear, elk and cougars. Experience the Adventure Trek Tour, which includes a trip through the bison and elk pasture. Unique overnight lodging located in the park includes authentic train cabooses and a cabin nestled in the woods. The park also offers biking enthusiasts 5 miles of singletrack intermediate level terrain with good technical trails and rocky terrain it will feel like you’re biking in the mountains.

A historic tradition lives on at the Elmhurst Park District Conservatory and greenhouses, located in Wilder Park. The conservatory holds four main plant displays a year: a Easter and Calla Lilies in the spring, Chrysanthemums in the fall, Poinsettias in December and an Environmental show with various themes in the Winter. In addition youth education programs are offered with our in house Horticulturist.

Eighteen units are available with 1-5 bedrooms. All cabins are very nice, spacious and well-appointed with kitchens, fireplaces, front porches. There are 2 swimming pools, 2 fishing ponds, private hiking trails, 3 hole golf course and much more. Five full hookup campsites are also available. Open March to December 20th every year.

The Water Works is an indoor water park located in the Schaumburg Park District Community Recreation center. It features three water slides, rapid water channel, water playground, diving pool, lap pool, gradual beachlike entry pool, whirlpool, family changing room and a nursery.

This golf course has been ranked as one of the top ten 9 hole golf courses in Chicagoland. Situated in Vernon Hills, this challenging 9-hole municipal course boasts small greens, rolling terrain, tight fairways and seven holes featuring water. Golfers of all skill levels will appreciate both the playability and the eye-catching views. The full-service clubhouse features a varied lunch menu, which is served all day and a full-service bar. Banquet facilities available for up to 80 people.

The Vaughan Athletic Center is dedicated to fitness excellence with quality equipment and programs designed to offer members the best value for their fitness dollar. The newest facility in the Fox Valley Park District is the Vaughan Athletic Center located on Indian Trail near Orchard Road on the far west side of Aurora. The Vaughan Athletic Center features 225,000 square feet of athletic, fitness, and aquatic fun. The Vaughan Athletic Center is home to an aquatic center with three indoor pools. The aquatic center offers lap swimming, diving boards, warm water therapy, swim lessons, and aquatic fitness classes. In addition, there is an indoor water park featuring two water slides, a lazy river, and spray and play areas. In the Vaughan Athletic Center’s 10,000-square-foot, full-service fitness center, members can use a wide variety of equipment, attend the Fox Valley area’s best group exercise classes, and receive personalized, one-on-one help from certified trainers. This year-round indoor water park has tube slides, zero-depth entry and interactive water play.

Bring the family and “burn away the old to welcome the new” experience a traditional Swedish bonfire. In Sweden the bonfire, speech and song signal hope in the future. Make this old tradition your own. The Bonfire is held at the Vasa Archives museum. Begins at 6 pm.

Located above Uptowne City Limits, theses suites offer overnight accommodations in the middle of Mt. Sterling. Each suite sleeps up to six people. Each features two bedrooms, large bathrooms and large living-kitchen areas. Suites offer their own washer and dryer, refrigerator, stove, dishes and big screen TVs with cable service. WiFi computer services are included.

Two cops. Three crooks. Eight doors. Go! In a cheap motel room, an embezzling mayor is supposed to meet with his female accountant, while in the room next-door, two undercover cops wait to watch the meeting on videotape. Rated R. Performances: Fri.-Sat.8pm; Sun. 2pm.

The University of Illinois Arboretum is a living laboratory, including plant collections and facilities that support the teaching, research and public service programs of several units throughout campus. Central to the Arboretum was the development of the "All American Selection Trial Gardens" established by a bequest from Miles C. Hartley in the early 90s. Other highlights of the Arboretum include the Welcome Garden, Hosta Garden, Kari Walkway and native ponds plantings, the Idea Garden, sponsored by Champaign County Master Gardeners, and the Japanese Tea and Dry Gardens at the Japan House.

President-elect Barack Obama is an avowed fan of the Chicago White Sox, and is often seen wearing a White Sox baseball cap. U.S. Cellular features an exploding scoreboard, an old-time facade, complete with arches and over 40,000 unobstructed-view seats.

Rolling agricultural fields, reclaimed strip mines, ravines, rocky streams and wooded bluffs dominate the northern half of the Tunnel Hill State Trail. With 47.8 miles (one-way) of crushed gravel surface, extended inclines and dark tunnels, this trail is a difficult one, but one not to pass up, as long as you’re up for the challenge. The southern half of the trail explodes with scenery that includes bottomland woods, ponds, streams and marshes. The trail, which winds through seven towns, even touches upon a handful of ghost towns that faded into the landscape after the trains here stopped running.

The TREC trail system is a public trail designed to create recreational opportunities. The trails provide a great place for visitors to exercise, whether its walking, riding bikes, or roller blading. The mission is to develop a countrywide, multi-use trail system, educate the communities on the benefits of the trails, and promote an active lifestyle by providing recreational activities.

Ideally placed in the historic Downtown Alton antique district, the Tiffany Inn is walking distance from shops, restaurants and the casino, with beautiful views of the Mississippi River and Clark Bridge. Located above the Alton Stained Glass Works shop, the inn has three elegant rooms decorated with lovely stained glass and antiques. Amenities include: private baths, air conditioning, mini refrigerators and coffeemakers.

Cruise the highway; treat Mom to the sights and sounds of Henry County’s Thrifty on 150 from Route 6 in Coal Valley to Galesburg. It’s a day to shop for deals at the many antique, plant and yard sales. Make a stop in Alpha to visit the car show and the plant sale at Gazebo Park.

The Stone Cottage, located about 2 miles from the Loading Dock, is a recently remodeled and beautifully appointed home was built in 1840 and is Grafton's oldest original structure. It features a full kitchen and three bedrooms with beds to sleep eight. The charming modern decor is warm and inviting; the property is perfect for a group getaway.